On February 25, 2021, the U.S. Department of Labor approved new COVID-19 related reasons under which you may self-certify eligibility for PUA, if applicable. Below is a complete list of the COVID-19 related reasons:
- I have been diagnosed with COVID-19 or am experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 and am seeking a medical diagnosis.
- A member of my household has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
- I am providing care for a family member or a member of my household who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
- A child or other person in my household for which I am the primary caregiver is unable to attend school or another facility that is closed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency and such school or facility care is required for me to work.
- I am unable to reach my place of employment because of a quarantine imposed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
- I am unable to reach my place of employment because I have been advised by a health care provider to self-quarantine due to concerns related to COVID-19.
- I was scheduled to commence employment and do not have a job or am unable to reach the job as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
- I have become the breadwinner or major support for my household because the head of the household has died as a direct result of COVID-19.
- I quit my job as a direct result of COVID-19.
- My place of employment is closed as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
- I am self-employed (including an independent contractor and gig worker) and experienced a significant reduction of my customary usual services because of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
- I was denied continued unemployment benefits because I refused to return to work or accept an offer of work at a worksite that, in either instance, is not in compliance with local, state, or national health and safety standards directly related to COVID-19. This includes, but is not limited to, those related to facial mask wearing, physical distancing measures, or the provision of personal protective equipment consistent with public health guidelines.
- I provided services to an educational institution or educational service agency and am unemployed or partially unemployed because of volatility in the work schedule that is directly caused by the COVID-19 public health emergency. This includes, but is not limited to, changes in schedules and partial closures.
- I am an employee and my hours have been reduced or I was laid off as a direct result of the COVID-19 public health emergency.
- None of the above apply to me.
If any of the reasons apply to you for a week that you were previously denied or for a week prior to the start date of your PUA claim, you may go to https://dol.nebraska.gov/uibenefits and complete the PUA Recertification Form for all applicable weeks by January 7, 2022. PUA claims filed prior to December 27, 2020 may certify eligible benefit weeks back to February 2, 2020. PUA claims filed on or after December 27, 2020, may certify eligible benefit weeks back to December 6, 2020. In addition to completing the PUA Recertification Form, you must upload the following documentation to your NEworks account:
- Government issued photo ID
- Proof of Employment or Self-Employment (initial PUA claims filed in 2020 will require proof of employment or self-employment documentation for calendar year 2019; initial PUA claims filed in 2021 will require proof of employment or self-employment documentation for calendar year 2020). Information regarding acceptable documentation can be found at https://dol.nebraska.gov/uibenefits.
Failure to provide the information requested in the PUA Recertification Form and/or upload required documentation will result in the denial of your recertification request.